The Addison Independent is proud to publish the Students of the Week from area High Schools each week. The students are chosen by teachers and administration from each school who would like to recognize their exceptional engagement in the high schools they attend.
MUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Middlebury Union High School is very proud to recognize Nicholas Beauchamp as its Student of the Week. Nick lives in Middlebury with his mother, Leah, and sister, Olivia, a 10th-grader at MUHS.
Nick was the male recipient of the MUHS Dorey Cup for 2015 for leadership, sportsmanship and athletics. Besides the cup, Nick earned a St. Michael’s College Book Award, an Idle-Free VT Award and a 21st Century Award in English. He also was selected for National Honor Society and Green Mountain Boys’ State. Nick presently serves as a student representative on the ACSU School Board, and he is an MUHS Peer Leader.
Cited as an MUHS Volunteer of the Year for the past three years, Nick has provided peer mentoring and support for both the DCF and the Counseling Service. During the summers of 2011-2014, Nick was a volunteer camp counselor at a Philadelphia YMCA.
Nick has been a four-year member of the MUHS Men’s Ensemble and has qualified for the VT District Choir each year since 2011. He was also a Student Council Class Rep and Treasurer in 2014. Athletically, Nick has excelled in football, wrestling and field events in track. An integral player with the twice and reigning D-I football champions, Nick also captained the wrestling team the past two seasons and qualified for the New Englands in 2015.
Outside of school, Nick enjoys health and fitness activities, and Japanese styled Manga and anime cartooning and animation. Vacations for Nick usually mean hands-on kinds of work: construction, landscaping, house/pet sitting.
Nick’s dream steps would lead first to the University of Pennsylvania to study economics and perhaps play linebacker for the Quakers. He’d then move on to Penn’s renowned Wharton School for an MBA. Just as it did for Philadelphia’s now-bronzed Rocky Balboa, “business as usual” means determination and hard work for our beau Champ. They have served to put you well on your way up those steps, Nick. We wish you the very best for the rest of your run to the top!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Julia Johnson as its Student of the Week. Julia lives in Panton with her mom, Kimberly Hart. Her dad is Bronson Johnson from Milton. Her older brother, David, is a VUHS graduate.
Julia has earned high honors through much of high school. She earned the Excellence in Math award her sophomore year and took AP Language and AP Literature her junior year. She received The Duke of Edinburgh award at the Bronze and Gold level, which is the world’s leading youth achievement award. Julia is also the senior class treasurer and was chosen to represent her class at Girls’ State this past summer.
Julia has been a varsity soccer player since ninth grade, and this year she is the captain of the team. She has helped to organize our annual Peace One Day celebration. She is a member of the Gay Straight Alliance and student council. Julia helped plan the junior class prom. She has participated in many oratorical contests for the Rotary and Lions clubs.
Julia has volunteered helping middle school girls who were struggling socially, emotionally or academically. She volunteers at Homeward Bound and is also a math tutor at the DeGraaf daycare. In grades 10 and 11, she volunteered through the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and traveling to the Veterans Hospital during Christmas time.
Julia gives this piece of advice to others: “Through all my community service with people or even my time spent at the animal shelter I have learned that you can never completely know what someone has been through. Give people the benefit of the doubt and be that smile in their day because sometimes that extra kind gesture can go a long way.” Science teacher Sarah Thompson said, “It has been a great experience working with Julia as her teacher and adviser. She takes feedback in stride and always wants to find the best in people and situations, making her a model classmate and student. Congratulations Julia!”
Following graduation from VUHS, Julia plans to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing and then get her master’s so she can become a neonatal nurse practitioner.
 
Otter Valley Students of the week receive a gift certificate from the Book & Leaf Bookstore. Mt. Abe Students of the Week receive a free pizza from Cubbers. Vergennes Students of the Week receive a free sandwich and drink from 3 Squares Cafe. Middlebury Students of the Week receive a free pizza from Green Peppers. Students of the Week from all area high schools will receive a gift certificate from Vermont Book Shop.
With support from:
Barash Mediation
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
Jackman Fuels
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Army National Guard
Vermont Book Shop